Day Five of the Odinsleep (Shaundukal's Offer)

 Day Five of the Odinsleep (7:06 pm)

The party has made its way back to the mead hall of Valhalla. Raucous music plays loudly enough to shake the heavy timbers that hold up the roof but is drowned out by the sounds of overlapping, shouted boasts of the Einherjar as they trade tales of their exploits during the last five days of battles with Loki's Army of darkness. 

Wounds have been treated and healed so all injuries suffered by the party have been fully mended. The group is gathered at a heavy oaken table, overflowing with roasts, fruits, mutton, fowl, and most importantly, mead. They are joined by Abacus and Foil Hat who stare in open-mouthed awe at the wild revels taking place all around them. Raven has excused himself, turning the ponies over to Grotto with a reminder to look out for them. The elf spoke briefly with Ivaldi before retiring for the evening.

Hildr sits on one of the heavy benches, her booted feet propped on a nearby chair and tankard in her hand. She smiles at Shadow, ignoring the glares of the other Valkyries who haul trays of food and drink to the boastful warriors. 

Baldur and Thor enter the hall, flanked by Bragi and another god. The unknown deity wears a white robe with a heavy gray cloak. He has a thick blond beard with his mustache braided into it and strides with his spear held as a walking staff. All four have grim looks upon their faces.

Idunn rises from her seat and goes to her husband. They quietly exchange some words and he frowns, shaking his head. She touches the side of his face. He reaches up to take her hand and smiles softly before kissing her. He looks towards Cedron, speaks quietly to her again and she nods, kissing his hand and embracing him. Bragi smiles broadly, eyes closed, and returns the hug, even lifting his wife from the ground and spinning once around with her, much to her shrieking delight.

Raven reaches the home of Völundr the Smith. Ygrid greets him with a simple, "A guest waits for you in the smithy" before taking her leave. Raven frowns, tired from the day's battles and plane-hopping, but heads out back to see who has come for him. 

His jaw drops when he pushes open the door to the smithy. The forge's smoky odor has been replaced with the scent of a cool mountain breeze. A handsome man, dressed in the leathers of a ranger with a heavy, hooded purple cloak that stirs constantly is seated within. A heavy beard covers most of his face. He leans back in his chair with only its two rear legs in contact with the floor. His booted feet are propped up on the workbench. A silvery two-handed sword is within easy reach. Raven bows his head and drops to one knee, "My Lord, I..."

Shaundukal lets his seat drop and rises to his feet, "No need for that. You fought well in the service of Asgard, better than any individual Einherjar and, while rowdy, Odin and the Æsir are good neighbors. I thought I would thank you for representing Me well while amongst them. And, offer a boon."

"What sort of boon, my lord?" Raven asks, his curiosity overriding both his reverence for the god and his own exhaustion. 

"A place in Shaunidaur. You would safeguard the realm in My absence."

"I would be honored to accept. But, does this mean that my travels would end?" Raven replies.

"Aye, they would," the Rider of Winds responds.

Raven casts his gaze down, "Then, I am afraid I must decline. My troupe is far from home and they need me far more than Your realm needs a watchman."

"Perhaps, but I know something of the road ahead. You may regret not coming with me now."

"I may, but my decision must stand."

"Very well, my Knight. I expected that this would be your answer. Know that no matter what befalls you, that you are the most widely traveled of My worshippers. Even the most exalted priests and Windriders have not trod as many paths or miles as thee. I wish you well. May the ground pass gently beneath your feet." As Shaundukal utters those final words, He fades from view, leaving Raven alone in the smithy.

- - - - -

• Cedron: 100% health;

• Drax: 100% health; Nondetection (lasts until about 10 pm), Undetectable Alignment (lasts until about noon tomorrow), 

• Grotto: 100% health;

• Kysek: 100% health; Half of the Tome has been read;

• Niklas: 100% health; 

• Raven: 100% health;

• Ra’ziir: 100% health; 

• Shadow: 100% health; Overland Flight (13 hours, 57 minutes remaining),